Convertible garments

Abstract

A convertible garment with legs ( 4,5 ) that can be shortened. The legs ( 4,5 ) extend to below knee length and each have a bottom hem end ( 6,7 ). Releasable seams ( 9,10 ) extend from each hem ( 6,7 ) along an inner leg side of the legs ( 4,5 ). Leg attachment devices ( 30 ) are provided on a lower portion (F) of each leg ( 4,5 ). Respective upper garment attachment devices ( 31 ) are provided above an upper end of the releasable seams ( 9,10 ). The garment is converted from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration by opening the releasable seams ( 9,10 ) and folding a lower portion (F) of each leg ( 4,5 ) to extend beside an upper portion (G) of the garment. The leg attachment devices ( 30 ) are releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment devices ( 31 ) to secure the lower portion (F) to the respective upper portion (G).

1 . A convertible garment with legs that can be shortened, said garment including a pair of legs extending to below knee length and each having a bottom hem end, respective releasable seams extending from each hem along an inner side of the legs, leg attachment devices provided on a lower portion of each leg, co-operating respective upper garment attachment devices above an upper end of said releasable seams whereby said releasable seams can be opened and a lower portion of each leg folded to extend beside an upper portion of the garment and the leg attachment devices releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment device to secure the lower portion to the respective upper portion of the garment to convert the garment from a long leg configuration to a short leg configuration, the garment further including a crotch, wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located above the crotch. 
     
     
         2 . A convertible garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the garment includes a waistband portion and the upper garment attachment devices are located adjacent the waistband portion. 
     
     
         3 . A convertible garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the outside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded upwards to be outside the upper portion of the garment. 
     
     
         4 . A convertible garment according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the inside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded to be inside the upper portion of the garment. 
     
     
         5 . A convertible garment according to  claim 4 , wherein the upper portion of the garment includes at least one access opening to facilitate attachment and release of the co-operating leg attachment devices and the upper garment attachment devices. 
     
     
         6 . A convertible garment according to  claim 5 , wherein the access opening comprises a transverse opening, extending circumferentially around the garment, and a longitudinal opening, intersecting the transverse opening and extending downwardly therefrom, thereby defining at least one flap which is outwardly openable to open the access opening so as to facilitate access through the interior of the leg to the lower leg portion for shortening the respective leg. 
     
     
         7 . A convertible garment according to  claim 6 , wherein a gusset extends across the opening to limit the displacement of the or each flap. 
     
     
         8 . A convertible garment according  claim 1 , wherein the releasable seam extends to about midway between the hem end and the upper garment attachment devices. 
     
     
         9 . A convertible garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg attachment devices are located at or adjacent the hem end of each leg. 
     
     
         10 . A convertible garment according to  claim 1 , the garment further including respective intermediate attachment devices located on each leg between the corresponding upper garment and leg attachment devices and respective lower leg attachment devices provided on each leg below said leg attachment devices whereby the lower leg portion can be folded to engage the corresponding lower leg attachment device and intermediate attachment device to shorten the leg before the folded lower portion is folded beside the upper portion to engage the corresponding leg attachment device and upper garment attachment device. 
     
     
         11 . A convertible garment according to  claim 10 , wherein the intermediate attachment devices are on the outside of the garment and the lower leg portion is folded outside the leg to engage the corresponding intermediate attachment devices and lower attachment devices. 
     
     
         12 . A convertible garment according  claim 10 , wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the inside of the garment and the folded lower leg portion is folded to be inside the upper portion of the garment. 
     
     
         13 . A convertible garment according to  claim 10 , wherein the lower attachment devices are located at or adjacent the hem end of each leg. 
     
     
         14 . A convertible garment according to  claim 10 , wherein the garment includes a waistband portion and the upper garment attachment devices are located adjacent the waistband. 
     
     
         15 . A convertible garment with sleeves, said garment including a pair of sleeves extending to below elbow length and each having a bottom cuff end, respective releasable seams extending from each cuff along each sleeve, sleeve attachment devices provided at or adjacent the cuff end of each sleeve and respective upper garment attachment devices above an upper end of said releasable seams, whereby said releasable seams can be opened and a lower portion of each sleeve folded to extend beside an upper portion of the sleeve and the sleeve attachment devices releasably engaged with corresponding ones of the upper garment attachment devices to secure the cuff ends to the respective upper portion of the garment to convert the garment from a long sleeve configuration to a short sleeve configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A convertible garment according to  claim 15 , wherein upper garment attachment devices are located on the outside of the sleeve and the lower sleeve portion is folded to be outside the upper sleeve portion. 
     
     
         17 . A convertible garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the upper garment attachment devices are located on the inside of the sleeve and the lower sleeve portion is folded to be inside the upper sleeve portion. 
     
     
         18 . A convertible garment according to  claim 17 , wherein the upper sleeve portion includes an access opening to facilitate attachment and release of the sleeve attachment devices and the upper garment attachment devices. 
     
     
         19 . A convertible garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the releasable seam extends to about midway between the cuff end and the upper garment attachment devices. 
     
     
         20 . A convertible garment according to  claim 15 , wherein the sleeve attachment devices are located at or adjacent the cuff end of each sleeve.